Let Me Down Easy, which explored the resiliency and vulnerability of the human body, debuted at the Long Wharf Theatre in January 2008.[9] It was also performed at the American Repertory Theater in September and October 2008.[10] A revised version of the show had its New York City premiere Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in October 2009[11] and enjoyed favorable reviews[12] and an extension into January 2010.[13] It was also a featured program as part of PBS's Great Performances series on January 13, 2012. She debuted her one-woman play, The Arizona Project in Phoenix, Arizona, in November 2008. The piece, which explored "women's relationships to justice and the law," was commissioned by Bruce Ferguson, director of Future Arts Research (F.A.R.), a new artist-driven research program at Arizona State University in Phoenix.[14]

In Spring 2012, Smith was the first artist-in-residence at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, a program founded by the Very Rev Dr Jane Shaw, Dean of Grace Cathedral, who shared Smith's vision of "bringing together art and religion".[16][17][18] Commissioned by Grace Cathedral and the Cockayne Fund, Smith wrote and performed the play, On Grace, based on interviews relating to the meaning of God's grace.[19][20] The performances were accompanied by American cellist Joshua Roman.[21]

In 2000, Smith published her first book, Talk to Me: Travels in Media and Politics. In 2006, she released another, Letters to a Young Artist: Straight-up Advice on Making a Life in the Arts – For Actors, Performers, Writers, and Artists of Every Kind.[24]